brinzolamide + timolol maleate at a glance
Medicine class
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor plus non-selective beta blocker.
Usual role
Reducing raised eye pressure when one active substance is insufficient.
Form
A suspension for use in the eye; shake well before application.
Reducing absorption
Closing the eyelid and pressing gently beside the nose after application reduces passage into the bloodstream.
What is brinzolamide + timolol maleate used for?
Licensed use in adults:
Reducing raised intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma when monotherapy is insufficient.
Reducing raised intraocular pressure in ocular hypertension when monotherapy is insufficient.
How does brinzolamide + timolol maleate work?
Brinzolamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase in the eye, reducing fluid secretion. Timolol blocks beta receptors and reduces aqueous-humour production. Their complementary actions lower pressure inside the eye.
brinzolamide + timolol maleate preparations and strengths
Eye drops
Route: Ophthalmic
Strengths: 10 mg/mL + 5 mg/mL
How to take brinzolamide + timolol maleate
Use only in the eye and follow the prescriber's instructions. Wash your hands, shake the bottle well and avoid touching the dropper tip to the eye, eyelid, skin or other surfaces. After application, close the eyelid and press gently beside the nose to reduce absorption. Remove soft contact lenses beforehand.
Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Wait until blurred vision clears before driving, cycling or operating machinery.
brinzolamide + timolol maleate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Temporary blurred vision
- Eye burning, stinging, itching, redness or watering
- Eye pain or surface inflammation
- Unusual or bitter taste
- Slower heart rate
Get urgent medical advice
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing or bronchospasm
- Chest pain, fainting or a markedly slow or irregular heartbeat
- Severe allergic reaction with facial, mouth or throat swelling
- A spreading blistering or peeling rash, particularly with mouth, eye or genital sores
- Persistent eye pain, inflammation or visual disturbance suggesting a serious eye problem
brinzolamide + timolol maleate in pregnancy
The combination should not be used during pregnancy unless the prescriber considers it clearly necessary, because evidence is limited. Anyone pregnant, planning pregnancy or becoming pregnant should ask their eye specialist and maternity team to review treatment rather than stopping it without advice.
brinzolamide + timolol maleate while breastfeeding
Timolol from eye drops is expected to reach breast milk only in small amounts, but it is unknown whether ophthalmic brinzolamide enters human milk, and risk to the infant cannot be excluded. The prescriber should balance treatment with breastfeeding. Eyelid closure and pressure beside the nose can reduce absorption.
brinzolamide + timolol maleate interactions
Tell the prescriber about all eye drops, prescribed medicines and non-prescription products. Important examples include:
Systemic or ophthalmic beta blockers
Beta-blocking effects may add together, increasing the risk of slow heart rate, low blood pressure or breathing problems.
Calcium-channel blockers, antiarrhythmics, digoxin or parasympathomimetics
Combined cardiovascular effects may cause marked bradycardia or hypotension.
Oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as acetazolamide
Systemic carbonic-anhydrase inhibition may be additive, so combined use is not recommended.
Common questions about brinzolamide + timolol maleate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is brinzolamide + timolol maleate used for?
It lowers raised pressure inside the eye in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when one medicine alone has not worked sufficiently.
Why does it contain two active ingredients?
The ingredients reduce aqueous-humour production through different mechanisms, providing complementary pressure-lowering effects.
Why must it be shaken?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.